Environmental Progress - Spring 2003

Drive to Survive

Gawsh, Mr. Dillon – is that there a hybrid Toyota?

Actor Dennis Weaver, once a weekly visitor in homes nationwide as the drawling deputy marshal on “Gunsmoke,” dropped in for a brief call at the Illinois Executive Mansion on May 1. This time he rode in on a blue Toyota Prius, as part of a promotion to encourage use of alternate vehicle fuels.

Veteran TV star Dennis Weaver is promoting an environmentally friendly mount these days, as he touts alternative fuel vehicles like this hybrid Toyota Prius.

“Drive to Survive” made its cross-country journey with a convoy of hydrogen, hybrid and alternative-fueled vehicles to demonstrate the viability and availability of hybrid and alternative-fuel vehicles, and to “Drive Hydrogen Home.”

The caravan team visited major cities on its journey from Los Angeles to Washington, D.C., where Weaver presented a petition asking lawmakers to act on such issues as fuel efficiency, alternative fuels and decreasing dependence on foreign oil.

Illinois EPA Director Renee Cipriano hosted the mansion event, with state Representatives Phil Novak, D-Bradley and Kurt Granberg, D-Carlinville also taking part. Novak has been a leader in encouraging Illinois businesses, local governments and individuals to use clean fuels. Director Cipriano presented Weaver with a plaque designating his Eastward-Ho! wagon train as an Honorary Illinois Green Fleet. Alternative-fueled vehicles from the Illinois EPA and Chicago Area Clean Cities joined the caravan as it rolled north on I-55 bound for a refueling stop at Becker’s BP in Dwight, where they topped off the tanks with E-85 (ethanol) en route to a Chicago reception.

Weaver lives his private beliefs. He and his wife, Gerry, who accompanied him on the road trip, have built a home near Ridgway, Colorado, that is truly environmentally friendly. Designated an Earthship, it was built from recycled tires, aluminum cans and other recycled materials, and conserves heat through solar mass and solar power. More information on Dennis Weaver and the Drive to Survive campaign can be found on two websites: www.dennisweaver.com and www.drivetosurvive.info.